New York Knicks executive vice president and general manager Glen Grunwald poses for a photograph with Jason Kidd, one of the Knicks two newest additions, following a news conference at the team's training facility in Tarrytown, N.Y., Thursday, July 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Then Kidd was arrested on a drunken-driving charge, Lin's departure from New York for a "ridiculous contract" in Houston became more realistic, and a position of strength suddenly was one of turbulence for the Knicks.

Kidd's arrest came within hours of the Knicks agreeing to a trade for fellow point guard Raymond Felton, raising the possibility they will decline to match Lin's offer sheet with the Rockets.

Police said Kidd crashed his SUV into a telephone pole in the Hamptons on Sunday, days after signing with the Knicks.

Treated at a hospital for minor injuries after the crash, Kidd was arraigned on a misdemeanor driving-while-intoxicated charge and released without bail, Southampton Town police said.

Phone and e-mail messages were left seeking comment from Kidd's agent. His attorney, Ed Burke Jr., said in a statement that Kidd was returning from a charity function before his accident, had pleaded not guilty to the DWI charge and was awaiting further court proceedings.

The Knicks, who signed the 10-time All-Star in free agency last week, had no comment. Nor would they comment on their plans for Lin, even as speculation grew that Linsanity was headed elsewhere.

Kidd, 39, was alone in the 2010 Cadillac Escalade when it hit a pole and veered into the woods around 2 a.m. in Water Mill, police said. Water Mill is a serene, mainly residential community east of Southampton Village.

Kidd's next court date wasn't immediately available. The DWI charge carries the potential for up to a year in jail.

The Knicks signed Kidd in a deal that will pay him about $3 million a year. Kidd had played in New Jersey, leading the Nets to two NBA Finals appearances, before being traded to Dallas and remains fond of the New York City area, where his children live.

Now Lin might not even be in New York. The Knicks repeatedly have said they would match any offer for Lin, but the Rockets made it difficult with a three-year, $25 million deal that's worth about $15 million in the third year. New York has until 8:59 p.m. PDT Tuesday to match the offer sheet.

Asked if he could envision Lin being with the Knicks next season, All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony said: "At this point, there's a lot going on. I stay away from that part right now. I would love to see him back, but I think he has to do what's best for him right now."

Anthony, speaking before practice with the U.S. Olympic team, was then reminded it's up to the Knicks, not Lin, to decide whether he stays.

"It's not up to me," Anthony said with a laugh. "It's up to the organization to say they want to match that ridiculous contract that's out there."

Suns land Scola: Phoenix won the bidding for forward Luis Scola and used the amnesty clause to cut former Stanford forward Josh Childress. A fan favorite in Houston, the 6-foot-9 Argentine averaged 14.5 points and 7.7 rebounds in five seasons with the Rockets. Houston used the amnesty option to waive Scola on Friday. Scola is due about $21 million over the next three seasons, and the move means his remaining contract will not count against Houston's salary cap or luxury tax.

Batum signs offer sheet: The Timberwolves signed restricted free-agent forward Nicolas Batum to a four-year, $46 million offer sheet, giving the Trail Blazers three days to match the offer or let him leave without compensation.

Malone update: Warriors assistant coach Michael Malone has withdrawn his name from consideration for the head-coaching job at Orlando.